Clint Bowyer got a career-best fourth-place finish Sunday at Indianapolis. Credit: Autostock

Late gamble results in career finish for Bowyer

Crew chief's decision for two tires late in race sealed solid finish

SPEEDWAY, Ind. -- Clint Bowyer likened his situation in the final restart of Sunday's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard to bringing a knife to a gun fight.

Stuck in the middle of the pack with what he felt was a top-notch car because of a tough day on pit road, Bowyer and crew chief Gil Martin decided to roll the dice on Lap 143.

Clint Bowyer started second for Sunday's Allstate 400. Credit: Autostock

Allstate 400 Official Results Pos. Driver Make 1. Jimmie Johnson Chevy 2. Matt Kenseth Ford 3. Kevin Harvick Chevy 4. Clint Bowyer Chevy 5. Mark Martin Ford 6. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevy 7. Kyle Busch Chevy 8. Tony Stewart Chevy 9. Carl Edwards Ford 10. Denny Hamlin Chevy • Complete results, click here • Official standings, click here Victory LaneJimmie Johnson celebrates his first Brickyard victory Top FinishersHear from the top finisher at The Brickyard 400 Final lapsJimmie Johnson avoids last-lap wreck taking the win Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

While the leaders came in for four tires, the No. 07 Chevrolet strapped on a pair of new Goodyears on the right side, allowing Bowyer to restart the race in sixth, behind four cars that didn't pit and Denny Hamlin, who also pitted for two tires.

"At that point, I was frustrated with our track position," Bowyer said. "It was a go-for-broke deal. We came here and sat on the front row, and you want to win. If you get that opportunity to get a fast car, you don't want to waste it."

Matt Kenseth dove under Bowyer in Turn 1 when the green waved -- and eventual winner Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick then followed suit. However, Bowyer was able to hold off the rest of the field for a career-best fourth in his first trip to Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"It was wild, just two tires," Bowyer said. "Let me tell you, it was a handful. It was loose. I just didn't have the grip in the center of the corner, but it was a heckuva job and a great call."

Starting second, Bowyer steadily dropped out of the top 20 within the first 40 laps for two reasons: an ill-handling car and poor pit stops.

"We just struggled all day long in the pits," Bowyer said. "Those guys have a lot of stress on them coming to a big race like this. They just had a couple hiccups.

"Every time we got back out we drove back up to the front."

Bowyer was just outside of the top 10 at the halfway point, running 11th but unable to gain on the leaders until the caution came out for debris. At that point, the team decided to go for track position.

"I think we could have won the race if we had the right situation," Bowyer said. "We were forced to take two tires there and four is always better than two, but hat's off to Gil for making that call and saving the day for us."

The day wasn't without another incident with Tony Stewart, according to Bowyer.

"[NASCAR] told us to stay away from each other and by all means give each other respect," said Bowyer, who was wrecked by Stewart two weeks ago at Pocono. "[Stewart] put me three-wide and knocked me into Vickers or whoever it was. He still ain't learned."